Kaizer Chiefs could offer a shot at redemption to one of their players who was thought to be transfer listed.
Chiefs suffered two major injuries before the season even started with Edmilson Dove being one of them.
Dove has been out with a long-term injury
The versatile star saw his pre-season trip to Turkey cut short by a serious leg injury. Dove was then pictured returning with a leg cast, alongside new signing Bongani Sam. It was thought to spell the end of the road for the Mozambican international defender at Chiefs. Coach Nasreddine Nabi had reportedly decided to sacrifice him for another foreign signing.
Chiefs, however, have had a serious injury issue at left-back. Bradley Cross recently got a long-term injury, while Sam still seems to be working on his match fitness. That has left Thatoyaone Ditlhokwe and Happy Mashiane as the only natural left-footed players who can play there. According to Soccer-Laduma, that situation has seen the club change their transfer stance on Dove.
“They (Chiefs) need an experienced left back who can work with Happy Mashiane at the moment since Bradley (Cross) is still recovering from his respective injury. Yes, Dove is also still recovering but he is very close to playing and that is why they have put his release on hold for now. I can’t say what will happen at the end of the season because his contract is ending in June 2025. So, instead of him being released in January as previously believed they are holding onto him to see that the other left backs come back,” said one source to the publication.
Set for second chance at Chiefs?
According to a different source, the initial retention of Dove at Chiefs would be short-term.
“You remember even keeping him in the team was like an emergency? They (Chiefs) recalled him from the Mozambique national team when they were going to Turkey and they had not signed Bongani (Sam) and Bradley (Cross) and now that they have those two plus Happy Mashiane and the two youngsters from the DDC, Nkosana Mbuthu and Ofentse Kgosana so they will be covered going forward. They are keeping Dove for the time being to have experience in that department though they will also be using Thatayaone Ditlhokwe as a left back as well in some games at the moment,” said the source.
Chiefs fans, would you like to see Dove given another chance to impress at the club? Feel free to leave your thoughts and feelings below?
